Together, we scored an incredible victory in 2013, stopping Amnesty.We proved nearly everyone in Washington wrong by preventing the House from passing the Senate's amnesty plan.

We won a battle, but not a war. We need YOUR help to win the war.

What's happening in the amnesty war right now reminds me of the Christmas truce that happened during the first year of World War I, in 1914. English and German soldiers put aside fighting a single day to sing carols and exchange gifts between the lines. Unfortunately, the fighting resumed the next day.

During the last few weeks since Congress left town for break, things have seemed pretty peaceful. But next week, Congress returns and the amnesty war resumes as well. What will happen in the amnesty battle of 2014? This depends on you. If you are determined to stop amnesty going through in 2014, please donate today.

There are signs of big trouble just around the bend:

1)

Earlier this month, President Obama repeated that passing an amnesty is his number-one priority. Though Obama's not politically popular these days, the White House still has plenty of ways to pressure Congress.

2)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid already pushed his immigration-amnesty bill through the Senate last June. That bill stays alive until 2015 rolls around. That's another year of threat, just awaiting action from an unpredictable House of Representatives. Reid recently claimed that House Speaker John Boehnerwould "cave in" and pass his bill in 2014.

3)

Speaker Boehner says he won't pass the Senate's bill. But what if he decides to ram through his own version of amnesty? Any chance of that happening? Yes, we are in some danger there. Earlier this month, Boehner hired Becky Tallent, the former John McCain immigration staffer who helped write the failed amnesty on 2007. Tallent has always worked on some amnesty or another. Wonder what's she doing right this minute? Celebrating her own Christmas truce, or outlining a new immigration bill?

On November 21, Speaker Boehner was emphatic: "Is immigration reform dead? Absolutely not." He said he expects the House to act. In fact, if Boehner chooses, he could wave the "Hastert Rule," allowing House Democrats to help him push an amnesty through in a matter of a few days. This is all bad, but it's not our most daunting problem.

4)

Our opponents have ALREADY SPENT $ BILLIONS to get their amnesty passed. Amazingly enough, our massive army of activist members, and a lot of sacrificing donors enabled us to hold the line in the House this year. The bad news is that the open borders coalition STILL has $ Billions. We will NOT be able to hold them off in 2014 without more funding from our members.

What do we use the money for? You've probably read the litany several times by now: we sent two hundred million e-mails, delivered 6 million faxes, placed over360,000 operator-assisted phone calls, while recruiting or reactivating millions of activists.

Even though our spending was modest compared to our opposition, for us those activities were devastatingly expensive. The billionaires can keep spending their billions, but we have limited resources. We're looking at having to accomplish just as much again in 2014, and we'll need our members to pull out all the stops to find the money to do it.

3)Check -- see the instructions and a form to print out and send with your check.(ALL CHECKS WRITTEN BY DEC. 31 WILL BE COUNTED AS 2013 GIFTS.)

4)Call (877) 885-7733 to arrange a wire transfer, stock donation, or to make a credit card donation over the phone. If our office is closed, please leave the time and your phone number and we will call back.

www­.theblaze.com - A former analyst for the CIA skewered the New York Times’ bombshell report on Benghazi Saturday, contending that it was a “politicized article” aimed at harming the GOP. “I thought it was a politic...

www­.theblaze.com - Editor’s note: This is a developing story — check back for the latest & click here to read what an ex-CIA analyst said about the bombshell report. A voluminous investigative piece published Saturda...

www­.newsmax.com - People on the ground the night of the Benghazi attack have joined Republican lawmakers to condemn The New York Times' report that al-Qaida had nothing to do with the actions that left four American...

dailycaller­.com - A former CIA analyst poured cold water over the New York Times’ new report suggesting al-Qaida was not involved in the September 11, 2012 attack against American targets in Benghazi, Libya — callin...

deneenborelli­.com - The New York Times is ringing in the New Year trying to rescue President Obama with its story claiming the Benghazi attack was not connected to Al Qaeda and to resurrect the idea that the attack wa...

City Enacts Highest-In-Nation $15 Minimum Wage

WOW! This town will not have any businesses in it by the end of next year.

Check it out:

As talk builds on Capitol Hill over hiking the federal minimum wage, one city in Washington state is poised to set the highest rate in the nation.

On Jan. 1, an estimated 1,600 hotel and transportation workers in SeaTac, Wash., will see their pay jump to $15 an hour, a 60 percent increase from the state’s $9.32 minimum wage.

While many workers look forward to the higher pay, employers are looking for ways to absorb the big increase in labor costs. Some plan on eliminating jobs.

“We’re going to be looking at making some serious cuts,” said Cedarbrook Lodge General Manager Scott Ostrander. “We’re going to be looking at reducing employee hours, reducing benefits and eliminating some positions.”

That’s in the short term. Eventually, those jobs and more are expected to return as the Cedarbrook Lodge looks to build an addition to the hotel. The plan is to increase revenue to offset the higher labor costs.

Over the past year I’ve sent you 23 updates about what I’ve been up to as your Representative. Since this e-newsletter will be the last of 2013, it’s going to be a little different.

I think one of the biggest problems in Washington, DC today is that some legislators aren't listening enough to their constituents, so I’ve held 10 public town halls, four telephone town halls, and I’ve met folks from our neck of the woods at over 60 festivals, county fairs, and annual community events.

For those who haven’t had a chance to be a part of that give-and-take, let me do a rundown of the answers to some of the most common questions I received during this first year in Congress. So, with apologies to David Letterman, I give you...

THE TOP TEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS I GOT THIS YEAR

10.) “Is it as bad as it looks?”

This is the question I get asked more than any other. I will tell you that it’s strange to join an organization that – according to recent polls – is held in lower regard than head lice and colonoscopies.

After nearly a year on the job, I can affirm that Congress continues to be a “fixer-upper.” But I’m here because I hope to make it better.

While much of the past year has been focused on partisan games, I’m hopeful that the recent budget deal is a sign that 2014 may bring more folks from both sides of the aisle together to find solutions to our nation’s problems. If we’re going to get our economy – and this Congress – back on track, we’ve got to stop seeing folks define success as making the other political party look stupid.

9) “Yikes! That sounds frustrating. Is there any hope?”

Despite the dysfunction, there’s cause for hope.

Here’s why: there’s a growing group of folks from both parties that are committed to righting the ship.

Twice a month I participate in a meeting of the Bipartisan Working Group. It’s a group of Democrats and Republicans who are committed to working to get past the toxicity in our dialogue and find ways to work together. While the challenges facing our nation are too big to be fixed overnight, every time I walk out of those Wednesday morning meetings (and the meetings of the Problem Solvers Caucus that I’ve also become a part of), I feel confident and hopeful that we can get things back on track.

8) Speaking of working together. Does the Washington delegation work together much?

I’ve learned to watch my step around some members of the Washington delegation. Literally. Early on here, I accidently stepped on Representative Rick Larsen’s shoe and I broke it. As he hobbled around on a broken shoe for the rest of the day, I lived with the shame of having “flat-tired” one of my colleagues.

Seriously, though, we actually do interact quite frequently and quite positively. For example, Rep. Larsen and Rep. Adam Smith and I are all on the House Armed Services Committee together. Having three representatives from Washington on the committee is helpful as we work together to support our service members and ensure Washington State’s interests are protected.

What’s more, the House members from our state – Democrats and Republicans – get together for a periodic breakfast to catch up, to discuss issues facing our state, and to figure out how we can work together on some shared priorities. For instance, we’ve now had a majority of the state’s representatives become a part of the new Puget Sound Recovery Caucus I am co-chairing. We’re working together to ensure that the sales tax deduction that benefits Washington State citizens becomes a part of any tax reform proposal.

And if that’s not enough, for the nights when I’m in D.C., I actually share an apartment with our neighboring congressman (and my co-chair of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus), Rep. Denny Heck. People are convinced that we should write a sitcom. For the record, I’m the “neat one.”

7) How’s the travel?

Not bad. Having met my wife Jennifer on an airplane back in 1996, I built up more positive airline karma than I ever deserved.

Listen, I knew when I signed up for this job that I was also signing up for a 3,000 mile commute to work. And, admittedly, I’ve learned the exact number of pretzels to expect in an Alaska Airlines pretzel package.

That said, I’m psyched to make it home nearly every weekend because it’s important I see and interact with my constituents as much as possible (not to mention my own family). Sure, that means a lot of time on a plane. But, on the bright side, I get 11 hours a week of mostly-uninterrupted work time. I get a lot of time to read policy briefings and to respond to letters from constituents. So if there’s something you think I should take a look at, email me!

6) So, did you get Norm Dicks’ office and committee assignments?

In short, no.

As you can imagine, I was somewhat bummed to find out that I wasn’t going to be the Ranking Member on the Appropriations Committee like my predecessor. (I did, however, get two great committees: Armed Services and Science, Space, and Technology).

Office designations, too, are based on seniority and then on a random drawing. Let’s just say that I had about as much success in the office lottery as I had in the recent Mega Millions drawing. Of the 435 members of Congress, I drew the 429thoffice choice.

That said, I have no complaints about my office. Not only did it come with a few tiny, furry “friends” (which has made the book House Mouse, Senate Mouse even more entertaining for my kids), we found out from the Library of Congress that it was the freshman office of Washington State legend Henry M. Jackson when he served in the House. Come visit us!

5) Any big surprises?

A few.

Prior to my tenure, Congress passed the Budget Control Act which included sequestration as a poison pill. It was meant to be so stupid that it would force Democrats and Republicans in the House and the Senate to work together to deal with our nation’s long-term fiscal health. Unfortunately, to my surprise, for most of the last year, Congress chose to swallow the poison pill.

Thankfully, the end of 2013 saw the passage of a budget that, while not perfect, will set aside the bulk of sequestration for the next two years and ensure we won’t have another devastating shutdown. Not only is that good news, it was a welcome surprise after a year of partisanship to see our parties work together to make some progress on the budget.

I was also surprised by the scrum for seats at the State of the Union. Some of my colleagues REALLY wanted to have a seat on the aisle so they could be on TV shaking the president’s hand. I haven’t seen that much demand for seats since the last time Taylor Swift visited the Tacoma Dome. I had a feeling it was trouble when I walked in.

4) So, what’s on Congress’s list of New Year’s Resolutions?

For me, that’s simple: I need to eat healthier, exercise more, and teach my dog Truman not to eat the furniture.

For Congress, the top of the list is fighting to extend unemployment benefits early in the New Year. A recent report by Washington State’s Employment Security Department found that 24,400 residents of our state lost their benefits on December 28 due to the failure of Congress to act. Another 37,600 Washingtonians stand to lose coverage over the course of the next six months. The impact of letting unemployment insurance benefits lapse will also prove to be yet another headwind to our economic recovery. In fact, the White House Council on Economic Advisers estimates that the failure to extend unemployment insurance benefits will cost the state of Washington 6,183 jobs.

In addition, there are some big challenges that deserve attention: a comprehensive immigration reform bill, improvements to the Affordable Care Act, comprehensive tax reform to help Main Street businesses and middle class families, actions to address climate change, and campaign finance reform.

And most importantly, Congress should resolve in 2014 to get focused on the economy. Not a single JOBS bill passed this year. I hope that changes in 2014. In fact, I’m working with a group of colleagues on the reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act. Stay tuned for details as we work to get it passed.

3) What do I do if I’m not getting the help I need from a federal agency?

On my district team, we’ve got some wonderfully talented caseworkers who work every day to solve problems for the people we represent and make sure government works for you. This year alone, we’ve helped over 500 people resolve issues with government agencies and we’ve helped return over $600,000 in savings for constituents from agencies like Medicare, the VA, or the IRS. If you have an issue or know someone who does, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

2) So, are we making progress?

Despite the dysfunction in our nation’s capital, there were some policy successes. We saw the bipartisan passage of the Violence Against Women Act. Just prior to the holidays, we saw Congress pass a budget for the first time since 2009.

My focus - on the policy front and in the district - is on economic development. I spent the past decade working in economic development, and I feel strongly that a lot of the challenges facing our nation will get a lot better when people get back to work. That’s why I’ve proposed or cosponsored bills to help small businesses, to improve workforce development, and to improve our business climate. It’s why we fought (successfully!) to protect the Small Business Development Centers in our region and are actively working to responsibly increase harvest levels in the federal forests, to protect jobs at our military installations, and to give downtown revitalization a shot in the arm. I’m very hopeful that 2014 will see a greater focus by the Congress on helping our small businesses.

That’s also why I do “Kilmer at Your Company” events. As we end the year, I’ve visited with nearly five dozen companies in our district. I’ve had the opportunity to help construct a door at the Simpson facility in McCleary. I’ve visited hospitals, toured emergency rooms, or stopped by dialysis centers in every county in the district (and used a lot of hand sanitizer). I’ve slipped on some hip-waders and gotten into a cranberry bog. I’ve visited IT companies, manufacturers, and local small businesses. In each meeting, I try to get a sense of the good, the bad, and the ugly of how our employers are interacting with the federal government. I want to make sure that we’re doing all we can to see employers grow, succeed, and stay here in our region.

While there’s obviously much more to do, I’m proud that my team has accomplished a lot for folks in our region for the past year. Take a look at this “Year End Report” we put out that shows some of our efforts and accomplishments.

1.) So, overall, how’s it been?

When I first decided to run for federal office, the most common question I received was: “Why on earth would you want to serve in Congress when it’s such a mess and you have two little kids?” My answer remains the same now as it was then. “It’s because it’s a mess and I have two little kids.” Their ability to grow up in an America where there is growing educational and economic opportunity, where our nation is secure, and where there is clean air and water is important to me. But getting there requires Congress to get to work.

Being your Representative is an honor and a privilege and not a day goes by that I’m not grateful for the opportunity. I’m heading into 2014 highly motivated to get things back on track.

Let me just end by saying I’m grateful to each of you for continuing to read these updates, and for continuing to provide me with your thoughts and advice. I wish you a happy new year, and I look forward to hearing from you in the coming year.

Last week, A&E suddenly reversed course and has said they will continue filming with Phil Robertson despite his statements that he believes homosexuality (like a lot of other things) is sin.

Before we close the books on this little chapter of our cultural debate over sexuality, marriage, and religious freedom, there are two things I think we should try to remember.

The first is that freedom won this time because the public demanded it.

I would like to think A&E's reinstatement of Phil Robertson will represent a sea change of sorts.

Perhaps they are finally confronting the fact that their view of "tolerance" is irrationally inconsistent.

Perhaps the left will now begin celebrating actual diversity, not just the kind in which everyone thinks and acts the same as they do.

But I doubt it.

It is more likely that this little episode simply proves that the bully can be defeated when enough people stand up and say "ENOUGH!"

A&E changed their position because they saw viewers, sponsors, and ultimately dollar signs standing up and preparing to walk out the door. A&E wasn't persuaded by an argument, someone touched their hot button.

Politicians behave in much the same way. If you want to see public policy created that respects conscience rights and religious liberty, don't try to make great arguments to elected officials, convince them that their next election depends on it.

If enough people insist on change, change will come.

Change came for Phil Robertson.

But that leads to the second point to remember about this entire episode.

There are Phil Robertson's everywhere.

The Duck Dynasty situation got national attention because he was part of a television show that is watched and loved by millions.

Right here in Washington State, a florist is being sued because she did not feel comfortable being part of a same-sex wedding and pharmacists have to go to court to defend their right not to sell a drug that causes abortion.

The only difference between the situation involving Phil Robertson and the situation involving the florist and the pharmacist in Washington State is that the public has not demonstrated the same degree of outrage they expressed on behalf of Phil Robertson.

Politicians have the same pressure points that A&E has, but so far we haven't had enough people stand up and say "ENOUGH!"

Politicians get lots of money for doing what the gay lobby asks them to do, and that money translates into votes.

Those who support freedom need to be a sufficient counterbalance so that defending individual rights is politically more viable than taking them away.

The Duck Dynasty scenario simply proved that there are enough people on our side of the issue to do this...if we simply decide to do something.

If you want to help protect the interest of the Phil Robertson's in your neighborhood, call Attorney General Bob Ferguson and ask him to stop suing small businesses because of their beliefs about marriage.

Then contact your local elected officials and demand that they protect the conscience rights of people to run their businesses in a way that is consistent with their conscience.

Even better, go visit them in person, explain your concern over the growing assault on religious freedom and conscience rights and get your friends and neighbors to do the same.

This story had a good ending, but let's hope it is not the end.

We proved that success is possible.

Hopefully, when history records this episode, it will be said that Phil Robertson's situation caused supports of religious freedom to draw a line in the sand and say, "no more."

Otherwise, the history books may simply record that the only people whose freedoms we will fight for are those whose TV shows we enjoyed.

Followers of TACWASH Blog

Distinctive Doctrine

Distinctive Doctrine is my fourth book to be published as a self-published print on demand edition. It deals with a topic that is a passion of mine. After salvation in Christ, the next important thing in a believer's life should be finding a true New Testament local congregation in which to serve the Lord. How do you know which one is the right one? It is simple. Take a look at the doctrine and practice of the churches of the New Testament and look for one that has the same landmarks. Having been a Pastor of a fundamental sovereign grace independent landmark Baptist Church for over 35 years, naturally I write from that position. I hope many readers take many blessings from the reading of this latest effort.

The Obedience of a Christian Man

Most folks know of William Tyndale as the man who translated the first English Bible, which - with certain royal guidelines, was used to transcribe the 1611 edition authorized by King James. The “Obedience of a Christian Man” was a primer on Christian living that was used to spark what is called the English Reformation. It is a practical book on how we are to live as believers. Children are to obey their parents, servants are to obey their masters and husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved His Congregation. The wife is to be in subjection to her own husband as the Congregation is to Christ, and the King is to rule in God’s stead over the realm according to the Law of God, not after his own imagination. Tyndale wrote in the days when the “divine right of the King” was the mindset. The idea of Natural Law (which agrees with scripture) is the best rule for the commonwealth of society was only beginning to develop. In America, since 1776, the so-called “divine right of the King” belongs to WE THE PEOPLE. Tyndale taught that if the secular rulers command us to do evil, we are to disobey saying we are commanded otherwise of God. He also exposed the hypocrisy and wickedness of the powerful religious institution in control at that time and how the leaders of that hierarchy set aside the holy scripture for their lies and man made traditions.

One Vote

I have liked Dr. Ben Carson from the very first time I heard him speak at the Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C. When he criticized the "Affordable Care Act" with Mr. Obama sitting only a few seats away from him, I thought to myself, this Dr. is a true patriot. The more I heard of him the more I liked him. When Americans all across the country started "clamoring" RUN BEN RUN, I joined in with them. His autobiography GIFTED HANDS is a must read (you should at least rent the movie). ONE VOTE is a very practical book with a lot of info in it. You can get a free copy of it in the form of an e-book. I was thrilled to hear the Dr. announce his candidacy in the 2016 race for the White House. If he only gets 17% of the "black vote" he cannot lose. He is my choice and he has my ONE VOTE.

Gifted Hands

This book is the Ben Carson Story, an autobiography. I first learned about Dr. Carson after hearing his remarks at a national prayer breakfast in Washington D.C. in which he warned about the dangers and complications that would come from the passing of the Affordable Care Act commonly called Obama Care. For a while after that prayer breakfast speech Dr. Carson attracted a lot of media attention for his bold remarks in the presence of President Obama. The more questions he answered in interviews the more conservative patriots in America liked what they heard and many asked the question, would you consider running for President in 2016? Dr. Carson responded that he had no desire to do that but if there was a clamoring by the voters for him to do it; he would have to consider it. Soon there was a movement called “Run Ben Run” to show the good Doctor there was indeed a clamoring for him to run. This book also is a movie and is available on DVD. The book however goes into much more detail about events in Ben’s life. Ben was raised in poverty. His mother, a single parent in Detroit, Michigan having only a 3rd grade education, brought him and his brother Curtis up to be an outstanding Engineer and a world renowned Pediatric Neurosurgeon. Dr. Carson is most well known for putting a surgical team together from Johns Hopkins Hospital to successfully separate Patrick and Benjamin Binder, Siamese twins joined at the head in 1987. The book tells of several other surgeries and because they all deal with children in hopeless condition, it is quite an emotional read. After reading Gifted Hands, I am convinced that Dr. Carson is what we need in the White House, to turn America back onto the right path again. When I say that, the first objection usually offered is, “He has no political experience.” My answer to that is, “That is precisely why I like him. It is the professional politicians that have gotten us into the mess we are in today and someone like Ben Carson would be a breath of fresh air.” The bean counters in the “Run Ben Run” campaign have crunched the numbers and determined that if Ben runs for President in 2016 and only gets 17% of the “black vote” he cannot lose.

Life of Washington

Here is 295 pages, including appendixes, of historic biography that is not butchered by modern day secular revisionists. It was originally published in 1842 by the American Sunday School Union and is filled with quotes directly from the very journals of Washington and anecdotes given by eyewitness accounts of events in the life of the father of our nation. If there is one book that gives a true and honest account of the life of Washington, this is it. This volume has tenderness about it even though it is set in very troublesome times. There is often insight as to how the patriotic women of the revolutionary days helped behind the scenes and the relationship between Washington and his revered mother is an aspect of the story that is thoughtfully penned. The story of the treason of Benedict Arnold showed in particular how the providence of God prevented that chapter from being much more harmful to the Colonists than it was at the time. The modern political correct crowd will literally freak out when they read how easy it is to write the truth about the Christian influence in the lives of American founding fathers like General George Washington.

I have the hard copy of Grudem's book discussed here. It is available now in electronic format. Heard about it at a local non-partisan political activist meetup group I've been involved with. Bought it on the cheap through Alibris. Took it with me to a conference on "Understanding the Times" back in May of 2011 sponsored by Family Research Council and Watchmen on the Wall. Grudem was one of the speakers. Got him to sign my copy. :) I think it is well outlined and a great reference. I think the first chapter is worth the Kindle $4.99 price. It comes from a biblical world view and is therefore more conservative than liberal on several points. The only negative reviews I've seen are from obvious leftists who scoffed at the biblical references and call it a mere Republican 101 Primer. ”

American Politics

I met the author at a local non-partisan politically active meet-up group. We had a lot in common and when I heard he had written this book I grabbed it. Roy is an active duty Army Chaplain and worked on this book while deployed in Afghanistan. The book begins with some dated references to the Presidential campaign of 2012 but has some valid points that lead to the conclusion. Many American conservatives find it incredible that at this late date our country seems blind to the move toward a totalitarian form of government in what was the land of the free. Using scripture and un-rewritten U.S. history, Roy makes the case that God is not a Socialist and approves of a republican form of government. He shows how our founding fathers were God-fearing men who saw the providence of God at work in the establishment of America. The last chapters reveal a domino affect leading to a “last resort” which we are rapidly approaching. This is a passionate and patriotic call to action. When he signed my book, Roy said, “Our freedom wasn’t free. We can either vote or fight to keep it. I’d rather vote.”

If It Is'nt Close, They Can't Cheat.

“First of all, this book is dated because it was written in the heat of the 2004 United States Election. But it has some very good information in it, none the less. You should read it for the sake of knowing the basics of modern day politics in America. The basic difference between a D and a R is this: one will get us killed and the other wants to kill those that are trying to kill us. The Culture of Corruption is blatant in D.C. but it is particularly championed by the party thatproclaimed in 2000 that they will do ANYTHING to win. The people have an uphill battle keeping good officials in office when our elections are unfairly tallied due to rigged ballot boxes and intimidation at the poles by leftist thugs, big labor, Community activist organizations, misleading left of center main stream media polls and the likes. Look where the six main political persuasions fall in the two main parties: three in one and three in the other. See them lined up side by side to get the big picture of modern politics.”

BIAS by Bernard Goldberg

Bernie states the obvious in this book. The book is ten years old and although the truth of it is generally seen in all quarters, even today it is still ignored or denied by Bernie’s old friends in the main stream media. Goldberg himself confesses that he has been a lifetime voter on the left side of the ticket. As a journalist however, he is willing to speak out regarding the fact that a liberal bias is the mindset of most of our media elite. He tried many times to show the need for a less slanted view of the news from within the machinery of CBS but finally resorted to writing and editorial article on the subject in the Wall Street Journal. His career at CBS was doomed. They blackballed him right away. Then dabbled with him for a while and finally let him retire with his pension. I highly recommend this book not because of the obvious truth of it but that we may better understand why the elite of the media continue as they do. They honestly do not think that they are leftists. To understand that statement, you must read the explanation in the words of a career liberal journalist who only wants people to face the facts.

Common Sense, The Rights of Man

Common Sense, Rights of Man. and other essential writings of Thomas Paine.Signet Classics 200th Anniversary Edition.

378 pages of very enlightened and inspiring words. Paine was friends with Ben Franklin and other great men of that era. Even Edmond Burke in England was a friend of Paine until 1790 and their debate on the French Revolution. Common Sense was originally published in pamphlet form and was used greatly to inspire the American Colonialists to sever ties with England. The Crisis begins with the famous quote, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” It was read by George Washington, and the American soldiers, by order of the General, to help bolster moral in some of the dark days of the revolution. The Rights of Man was the lengthiest piece in the book and was a defense of the French Revolution against remarks made by Edmund Burke in England. The Age of Reason was the most discouraging piece in the book for me as Paine acclaims his deism, and although raised as a Quaker, his skepticism becomes overbearing.

The Anti-Federalist Papers

Here is 406 pages about some of the most important events in the history of America. The decade of 1770 – 1780 was a crucial time. After the Revolutionary War and the break from Briton, most modern Americans do not realize how much thought, discussion and debate occurred in the establishment of the founding documents of the Constitution. After the Declaration of Independence and the Colonial Rebellion, a Constitutional Convention was held by our founding fathers to draft the founding documents of our nation in 1787. Until that time, our national politics was based on the Articles of Confederation 1777. A copy of this document is in the appendix of this book. The draft of the Constitution that came out of the convention was the result of great debate and that was only the beginning. Some of our founders saw the need for a stronger central government. They were called Federalists. Their arguments in favor of the immediate ratification of the draft presented by the Constitutional Convention are found in The Federalist Papers. These are articles written and published in newspapers and sometimes in pamphlets for the citizens to read. Not having radio & television this is how we learned about the political issues in those days. In answer to the Federalist articles, there were the Anti-Federalists who also wrote responses called the Anti-Federalist Papers against the immediate ratification of the Constitution voicing concern of the loss of liberty to a government that might turn into what we fought to free ourselves from in the revolution. Federalists like Alexander Hamilton wrote articles under the pen name Publius and Anti-Federalists like Patrick Henry wrote under other names like Brutus. Although the Anti-Federalists lost the debate, we have them to thank for the Bill of Rights being added as amendments our Constitution.

Original Intent

This is a very important book for people of faith to read regarding what has happened to the religious climate of public modern America. Unbelieving haters of biblical standards have taken over America from within. By rewriting and or ignoring the original intent of the authors of the founding documents of America, a so-called politically correct movement has corrupted the American way by usurping every branch of our government and is turning our constitutional republic of free citizens into a socialist democracy that is subservient to the elitists of globalism. Learn about the misleading metaphor used in this arena and read the actual quotes of the founding fathers in contrast to what modern politicians, activists and justices say about Christianity in the public square.

Backfired

This is a great book for showing how the doctrine and practice of “Tolerance” began in the Colonies of what became the United States of America. In modern thought, tolerance is putting up with somebody or something that is irritating or unpleasant to you. However, as surely as historical revisionists have rewritten American History, the original definition of tolerance has changed too. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of The English Language defined it as – Allowance of religious opinions and modes of worship in a State when they are different from those of the established church… For example, the Protestant religion might be tolerated in France and the Roman Catholic religion might be tolerated in England. Tolerance did not begin in Saudi Arabia where it still means the death penalty if someone converts from Islam to another religion. Nor did it come out of Communist China or the former atheistic Soviet Union where those who believed differently than the State had to meet in underground groups or be killed or imprisoned. It did not come from Medieval Europe, the Middle East, Africa or the Far East. Tolerance is an American Judeo-Christian contribution to the world. The reason the old definition of tolerance is important is because in the 15-1700’s, what ever the King believed the kingdom had to practice or be persecuted or flee. Many of those who fled came to North America where the concept of toleration began to grow. The first Colonists were Separatists and Puritans from England who did not immediately start to offer toleration to others mainly because they still feared that if others gained power it would rekindle the persecution from which they had fled. More and more pilgrims began to flee the religious persecution of Europe and slowly but surely the Colonists began to realize that if they expected others to tolerate them then they must also tolerate others. The book shows a list of where different denominations had settlements in the Colonies of the 1600’s. In early America, the Puritans began to tolerate other Protestants and Separatists, then Catholics, then any who professed Christianity, then Jews, and in time, all Monotheists, then polytheists and other non-Christian religions, and eventually anti-religionists and atheists. This, of course, all took time but here is the rub. Our tolerance has evolved to where the modern “Politically Correct” crowd has taken control of our government and reversed the role of tolerance. We are at the place now where God, the Bible and Christianity are banned from the public square in America, especially in our public schools. Even worse, people of faith are being forced to legitimatize acts like abortion and immoral lifestyles that are offensive to their conscience or else be branded as “intolerant” and suffer penalty under new laws that pervert the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. As the early Pilgrims feared, the government has once again become tyrannical, this time, not by the so-called divine right of the King but in the name of pseudo tolerance. Those who brought tolerance to the world are no longer tolerated. Where did we go wrong? How did this all BACK FIRE on the people of God and the Bible? Those that attack the Bible, public prayer and the display of religious symbols say they are doing it in the name of tolerance but the real question is – Are they not the ones that are being intolerant? Tolerance does not come by lowering our standards or forcing people to approve what is wrong in their heart.

Holy Bible KJV

I've been reading this book yearly for many years and I NEVER get tired of it. I believe it is the inspired word of God. God is real and God has spoken. God does not LIE. God has revealed to us His will in the 66 books of the Bible. All other books, people, lives and things must be judged on the basis of what is said in THIS one book. LJK

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About Me

Killion is an Irish name that means grandson of war but I am a lover. Dad was a career soldier. I was born at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma but grew up all over the place. Saved 1958. Married 1965. Surrendered to preach 1974. Bi-vocational preacher recently retired from secular job with Transit agency in Tacoma, Washington. Pastor of The Lords Baptist Church. Two daughters. Four grandchildren. One Great-grandson. Author.